Steam-regenerator.



W. AHLEN.

STEAM REGBNERATOR.

7PLIoATvIoN FILED AUG. 2, 1911.

WITNESSES m Wlv AHLEN. STEAM REGENERATOR.

FILED AUG..2,1911.

Patented July 28, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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WITNiEssEs WILLIAM AHLEN, OF DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA.

STEAM-REGENERATOR.

-Speeiicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented July 28, 1914.

Application filed August 2, 1911. Serial No.'641,968.

AT all iti/10m it may concern 'full, clear,

being had to the accompanying drawings,

. forming part of this specification.

"into a regular and means employed in My invention relates to apparatus employed in storing the heat and conserving the energy of steam whereby an intermittent supply of steam or supply which varies in volume at dierent times is-transformed constant supply of low pressure steam of uniform volume, and the invention more particularly bringing the incoming steam into contact with the water or heat storing medium contained in the regenerator chamber. y

`With one form of regenerator used heretoore the lincoming steam is caused to pass into and through a body of Water. In an other forni ot apparatus a regulated amount of waterfis withdrawn from the regenerator Lind is mixed in the form of spray with the 'stt-am, the resulting mixture of steam and water then being caused to again renter or again pass into the regenerator chamber. Viith thefirst form of suoli apparatus con-v siderable back pressure is caused in passing the steam into and through the body of water or heat storing medium in the regenerator and diliicultyeis had in bringing the steam and water into'suliicieiitly 'intimate y fontact within the regenerator chamber. In

the other type of regenerator the Iintermingling of the steam and water is regulated by moans! of mechanically operated valves otl complicated construction which become easily disari'anged and prove very expensive to maintain `in operative condition and which cause 'frequent interruptions and delays in the operation of the regenerator in making necessary repairs and. renewals.

One object of my invention is to provide a steam regenerator having' novel means for mixing the 'in-owng steam supply with the `water in the regenerator whereby. thel steam is more intimately brought into contact with the water and greater eliiciency in the transference of heat 'from the steam to the body oil water is eiected than has been possible with the apparatus known heretofore.

relates to thev .Another Vobject of the invention is to provide a steam regenerator having improved means for automatically regulating and eontrolling the volume of water supplied to and mixed with the steam passing into and through the regenerator. i

A further object of my invention is to provide apparatus for regenerating steam having improved means for mixing the steam and water'whereby the water in the bottom or lower part of the regenerator (which contains the coldest Water), is uti- )ized to spray the steam and a moreeiective circulation of the body of water obtained, to the end that a more even temperature of steam and water is thereby secured and a greater inter change of heat is effected.

A still furI hei' object of this invention is to provide ya steam regenerator having means whe eby the vacuum or partial vacuum maintained within the vacuum chamber of the apparat-us is automatically regulated and controlled and having im` prov'd meansl for automatically regulating and cont-rolling the volume of water mixed with the steam in proper proportion with the varying amounts of steam entering the regenerator at dili'erent periods in the operation of the regenerator.

The -inventionj/consists in the novel con struction and arrangement of parts herein after described and claimed. J

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1. is a side elevation partly in section showing a steam regenerator constructed and arranged in -accorda-nce with my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line II-II of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation through the vacuum chamber. or:

'exhauster showing on an enlarged scale one form of mixing pipe constructed and ar-r ranged in accordance with this invention. Fig. 4 is a similar sectional elevation showing a modiied form ot' vacuum chamber construction. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation similar to those shown in Figs. 3 and et showing a further modification in the construction o the mixing pipe. Fig. 6 is a transverse section of the mixing pipe shown in Fig. 5, the section being taken on the line 'VI- VI of Fig.Y

In the drawings` 2 designates a horizontal regenerator chamber, cylindical in eross-section and having fianged heads 2i closing its ends and in the heads forming the ends of the regenerator chamber are man-holes 3 which are 'normally closed by man-heads 4. wA steam supply pipe or main 5 which V5 -'leads from the source of exhaust steam, such as a steam engine or series of suchvengines, communicates through the flanged branch pipe 6 with the vacuum chamber or exhauster located on the interior of the re! L0 generator chamberl 2.

A steam outlet is formed by the flanged branch pipe 7 secured on the regenerator chamber 2 which is'connected through the angle valve 8 to a steam outlet pipe or main '\9 leading to a steam turbine or other point of use tor the regenerated steam passing from the regenerator. Another branch pipe 10 on the regenerator chamber 2 affords a convenient means for attaching a free exhaust outlet or relief valve 11 to the regenerator. (Such valves being old and well known are not further described other than in stating any of the several known forms of such devices may be employed.)

into the chamber 2 to maintain water or other liquid employed as the heat storage medium at the desired level within the chamber 2, a valve 13 on this overl'low pipe serving to regulate and control the rate ot overllow and in case of necessity entirely close the overflow outlet openinff. A drain pipe 1st having a valve 15 is provided on the bottom` of the regenerator. to ali'ord means for draining the regenerator chamber 2 and a water inlet pipe 16 having a valve 17 also is provided to supply water (preferably hot) to the regenerntor chamber when 'start-ing the apparatus in operation or such other time found necessary or desirable.

Depending from the top flange of the branch pipe 6 forming the steam inlet to the regenerator chamber 2 is a vertically extending pipe or cylinder 18 which forms the vacuum chamber or exhauster of the apparatus. As shown the lower end of the vacuum chamber 18 opens into or is in comnnuiication with the regenerator chamber 2 below the level of the body of water main- -350 tained in this chamber by the water overflow outlet, the vacuum chamber' 18 having an open lower end 18a terminating a short distance above the bott-um of the regenerator chamber 2.

Secured in the bottom'of the rcgenerator chamber so as to be. submerged in the body otl water therein is a mixing pipe 19 having its ends bent or curved upwardly so as to open into the regenerator chamber 2 at a '30 point above the waterdevel of the water overllow outlet. The discharge end 1)2l of this mixing' pipe 19 is arranged to discharge against. a battle er dellector 20 which is secured in the regenerat-or at one end thereotl to arrest and change the directon of flow of An overflowoutlet pipe 12 is connected' the mixture of steam and water passed through the pipe 18 when the apparatus is in operation.

The steam inlet end 19bof the mixing pipe 19 is frusto-conical or enlarged as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3.and l, this pipe flaring or tapering upwardly and outwardly. As shown in Figs. 5, and 6, the enlarged end of this pipe has a concentric port-ion 19c with a rotatable ring or collar 21 rotatably secured thereon. The upper edge of the enlarged end 19b or 19c of the mixing pipe 19 is provided with a series of V-shaped notches or serrations `22, the bottom of these serrations being located at or slightly above the Wat-er lev'el maintained in the regenerator chamber 2 by the water overflow outlet.-

In the construction shown in 'Figs 1, 2 and 3, the steam inlet main 5 is connected by an elbow 23 with a vertical pipe 24 which extends downwardly for some distance within the vacuum chamber or exhauster 18 and a vertically adjustable sliding pipe 25 is telescoped over the lower end of the depending pipe '24. The pipe 25 is suspended from a screw threaded pipe adjusting rod 26, the upper vend of which extends through the stutling box 27 and gland 27a .on the elbow 23 and the screw threaded portion of the upper end of the rod 26 passes through the internally threaded hub of the hand'wheel 28 to enable the telescopic pipe 25 being adjusted vertically. The telescopic pipeis adjusted vertically to bring its lower frustoconical end into the desired position relative to the serrated upper end 19b of the submerged mixing pipe 19, to vary the size of the annular opening formed between the ends ol these pipes 19 and 25. By adjusting the'size of this annular opening the volunie of water [lowing into the serrated end of the pipe 19 is regulated and controlled and is made proportional to thevolume of steam passing into the regenerator,l the partial vacuum created and maintained in the vacuum chamber also varying with a change in volume ot' the incoming steam supply passing through the mixing pipe.y By regulating the size of the annular opening connecting the vacuum chamber with the mixing pipe to suit the maximum flow of steam passing into the regenerator, a sufficient partial vacuum will be maintained within the vacuum chamber to supply the maximum volume of water vnecessary to be yadmitted into the mixing pipe 19 with the maximum amount ot' steam. The serrations in the end 19t? ol the pipe 19 are of suchshape that any decrease in the l'low of steam into the regencrator will leslen the amount gf the partial vacuum in the vacuum chamber, and the vacuum will be-reducedto an extent which will automatically cause a proportionatelysmaller amount of water to be supplied to and enter the mixing pipe 1S). The

automatic regulation of the volume of water turbine or other point of use. For a short supplied to the mixing pipe causes water to be supplied to the steam entering/the pipe 19 in proportionto the volume ot entering steam.

' 1n the modified construction shown yin Fig. 4 a cylinder or pipe depends from the `branch pipe 6 on the regenerator to form the vacuum-chamber or exhauster 18 and a. stationary pipe 24h extends downwardly trom and connects the elbow 5 on the steam supply mainjwith the mixing pipe 19. The

lower end of the pipe 24b is frusto-conical and projects into the open enlarged and serrated upper end 19b of the mixing pipe 19 so as to form an annular opening connecting the mixing pipe 19 with the interior .of

the vacuum chamber 18. Holes -or openings 29 inthe upper end Aof the chamber 18 are provided 'to afford communication between the regenerator. chamber 2 and vacuum chamber'18 and ailange'() on the interior of the pipe 18 forms an annular trough 81.

-23 ongthe steam supply` main into the upper serrated end 19b of the mixing pipe 19 in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 4. The upper serrated edge 19c of the pipe 19 is provided with a'ring or collar 21 also having, notches or serrations of similar-size' and shape to those on the serrated edge 19b of the pipe 19. The collar 21 is rotatable relatively to the pipe 24, a crank connection 34 extending through the shell ofA .the regenerator 2 being'provided with a lever 25 by which the ring or collarI 21 is moved on the end 19c of thepipe 19 so as to'varythe size of' the V-shaped serrations ,formed by fthe adjacent edges of the ring 2 1 and pipe 19", in this way changing the size of. the V- shaped serrations andthereby'regulating the iow ot'` water admitted into 'the mixing pipe 19. Y

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-The regenerator chamber 2 is filled with water which preferably is hot, to about the level of the water overow outlet connected to the overflow pipe 12. Exhaust steam from the source of steam supply is then conducted into the regenerator by means of the steam supply main 5, the steam passing through the depending pipe in the vacuum chamber o-r exhauster 18 into the inlet end 19b of the submerged mixing pipe 19 and, vemerging therefrom into theregenerator 2 above the level of the water overflow outlet, passes from the regenerator into the steam main 9 leading to the steam vafter an interruption in the operation of the apparatus due to lack of steam'supply or other cause the incoming steam entering .the

regenerator chamber 2 from the mixing pipe 19 is practically unmixed with water.

l/Vithin a short interval after the admission of steam to the regener'ator chamber 2,' the column of steam flowing through the mixing pipe 19 Will cause a partial vacuum tobe formed within the vacuum chamber or ex- .hauster 18. After partial vacuum has vbeen established in the vacuum chamber, the continued passage of steam through the pipe 19 'will maintain the partial vacuum in the of, the mixing pipe 19 the water flows vfroml the vacuum chamber 18 in an annular sheet into the mixing pipe 19 and is injected into andl intimately mixed withv the incoming steam. The so-formed mixtures of steam4 and water pass through the pipe 19 and are,

discharged from the opposite end 19a of this pipe into the regenerator2, striking against the battle or detlector 20 .located adjacent to Vthe outlet end 19a of this pipe and thereby being directed downwardly in the regenerator chamber. The greater the quantity of steam admitted into or passed through the mixing pipe 19 the greater will be the degree of the partial vacuum maintained in the vacuumchamber or exhauster 18 and, owing to the increased vacuum raising or lifting the water to a higher level inthe vacuum chamber the quantity of water flowing into the upper end 19b of the pipe 19 will be increased. By adjusting the sliding pipe 25 of the construetion'shown in Figs. 1, 2 and Sthe area of the inlet opening from the vacuum chamber to this pipe is regulated and controlled and in this way the supply of Water entering the mixing pipe 19 is made proportionalto the volume of steam passing into the regenerator through this pipe.

In the construction shownin Fig. 4, the operation is asbefore. In this construction however, the annular iange 32 on the upper vend of the vacuum chamber provides a water seal, -the depending end of thisflange ex tending downwardly into the water which is constantly supplied to the trough 31 to form a water seal, a sulicient amount of water being provided by condensation constantly being' effected in the regenerator. The. top of the vacuum chamber is connected by means of the openings or holes 29 with the interior of the regenerator chamber 2 through the water seal so. that when the byturning the ring or.

serrated openings this pipe.

enter the 'vacuum chamber underneath the flange 32 and limit the degree of vacuum in this chamber. T-he upper edge of flange 30 forming the water seal is made of suchv height that excess water will overflow into the vacuum chamber.

With the construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the operation is the same as before described. In this construction'the area ofthe annular opening between the lower end of the depending pipe 24 on the steam inlet elbow 23 and he serrated -upper edge 19c the curved mi `ng pipe 19 which issubmerged within the regenerator is regulatedl collar 33 on the upper end 'of the pipe and varying the size of the 22 in the upper edge of The advantages of my invention will be appreciated by those skilled'in the art. I believe myself .to be tlierst to use anejeet'or or exhauster whereby the flow of steam into the regenerator draws the required amountof water outof a body of water maintained in the regeneratoil and mixes the incoming steam and water so as to transfer surplus heat from the steam to .the water. Anothei` advantage of my invention is to provide a regenerator having means whereby the regeneratoris always in readiness for use after interruption in its operation due to lack of steam or for other reasons without delays in equalizing the temperature and pressure within the regenerator chamber.

1. A steam regenerator comprising' a re'- generat'or chamber having steam inlet and outlet openings 'and a water overflow outlet opening, a vacuum chamber surrounding1 the steam inlet and in communication wit the regenerator chamber below the level of the Water overflow outlet opening, and amixing pipe in the regenerator'chamber havingend portions opening respectively into the regenerator and vacuum chambers above the level lot' the water overflow outlet opening.

2. A" steam regenerator comprising aregenerator chamber having steam inlet Aand outlet openings and a water overflow outlet opening, a mixing 'pipe in said chamber exl tending below and having ends opening above the level of the water overflow outlet opening, and a vacuum chamber communieating .with the regenerator chamber below the level of its water overflow outlet opening into which the steam inlet opening and inlet end of said mixing pipe extends` 3. A steam regenerator eomprisin generatoF'phnmberhaving steam inet and 'outletl openingerand having a waterfoyertlow ofv outlet opening, a vacuum ehambersurrounding the steam inlet opening and having an open lower end extending below the level of said overflow outlet opening in the regenerator chamber, anda mixing pipe in the regenerator chamber below the level of the overflow outlet opening having end portions extending upwardly above the levelof the water overflow outlet opening, the inlet end of said mixing pipe extending into ,proximity to and forming with the lower end of the steam inlet 'opening in the vacuum chamber an annular opening connecting he top of the vacuum chamber withath'e steam" inlet and mixing pipes. l

LA steam regenerator coinprisin a regenerator chamber havingsteam inet andI outlet openings and having a water over-vv lowoutlet opening, a vacuum chamber sur-v rounding the .steam inlet opening andhav-` ing an open lower end' extending below the level of said overflow outlet opening in' the regenerator chamber, and a. mixing pipe in the regenerator chamber below the level 'of the overflow outlet opening having end aov portions extending upwardly :above the level of the water overilow outlety opening,

the inlet end of said mixing pipe' extending" i y into proximit to and forming with `the lower end of t e steam inlet opening in the vacuum chamber, -an annular opening .connecting the top of the vacuum chamber with the steam inletl and mixing pipes, and

Vmeans, for varyingl the size of the annular openin formed by the adjacent ends of the steam inlet and the mixing pipes.

'5. A steamregenerator comprising a regenerator chamber having steam inlet and outlet openings and a water overflow outletl opening, a vacuum chamber surrounding the steam inlet and in communication with the regenerator chamber below thelevel ot the water overflow outlet opening, and a mixing pipe in the regenerator chamber having a discharge end opening into the regenerat'or and an inlet end extending into and communicating with the vacuum chamber above tlie level of the water overflow outlet opening in the regenerator.

6. A steam regenerator comprising a regenerator chamber having steam inlet and putlet openings and an overflow outlet opening, a vacuum chamber surrounding the steam inlet opening and having an open loweil end extending below the level of said overflow outlet opening, a mixing pipe in the regenerator chamber having end portions vextending upwardly above thelevel of the overflow outlet opening, the inlet end of said mixing pipe extending into proximity to and forming with 4the lower end of tlie steam inlet opening an annular opening connecting stameinlet "and mixing pipe "and lmeans' Y the top" of the vacuum chamber Witli..the

- generator chamber having steam inlet and loutlet openings and an overflow outlet opening, a vacuum chamber surrounding the steam inlet opening and having an open lower end extending below `the level of said overflow outlet opening, a mixing pipe, in the regenerator chamber having end portions extending upwardly above the level of the water overflow outlet opening, the inlet end of said mixing pipe extending into proximity to and forming with the lower end 'of the 'steam inlet opening an 'annular opening connecting the top of the vacuum chamber with the steam inlet and mixing pipe, and adjustable means for regulating the size of said annular opening.

8. A steam regenerator comprisin a regenerator chamber havingsteam in et and outlet openings and an overflow outlet opening, a *vacuum chamber surrounding the steam inlet opening and Having an open lower end extending below the level of said overflow outlet opening, a mixing pipe in the regenerator chamber having end portions extending upwardly above the level of the wateroverlow outlet opening, the inlet end of said mixing pipe extending into proximity to and forming with the lower end of the steam inlet opening an annular opening connecting the top of the vacuum chamber with. the steam inlet and mixing pipe, and

means for moving the lower end of said steam inlet opening to vary the size of said annular opening.

9. A steam regenerator comprising a re-` generator chamber having steam inlet and outlet openings and a water over'liow outlet opening, a mixing pipe within said chamber having imperforate walls and having ends opening nbove the level of the water overliox outlet, and means for liilting and delivering water from said regenerator chamber into the inlet end of the mixing pipe.

10. A steam regenerator comprising a regenerator chamber having steam inlet and outlet openings and a water overflow outlet opening, a mixing pipe within said chamber having ends opening above the level of the water overliow outlet and means for lifting and delivering watfr from said regenerator chamber into the inlet end of the mixing pipe.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM AHLEN.

Vlitnesses:

FRED GERDTS, ARTHUR MAINWARING.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, Ia. C.- 

